Chapter 42 42
Maisie's Pov
Even as I laid beside Roman, I couldn’t sleep.
I laid on my back, staring at the ceiling as my wolf told me the truth I'd been denying for weeks.
I was more attracted to Roman. More than I’d been to any man in years.
Not only that, I was starting to like him. The way he comforted me after I woke up from my nightmare, the way his smiles made butterflies riot in my stomach, and the unshakeable faith he’d shown in me during the course of this mission. I didn’t realize I'd fallen for him this much. I didn't even notice. The truth burned like acid on raw skin, and I accepted it.
It was all my fault.
I never should’ve let my guard down.
I was a romantic in my most secret of hearts, and I was terrified that, like everything else I’d kept hidden, Roman would unravel that part of me until it was impossible to put back together.
He was dangerous, not just to his enemies but to those close to him.
And the only way to save myself was to make sure I stayed as far away from him as possible.
The following morning, I woke up to an empty bed and a note on his pillow that said : “The healers prepared you a herb that helps with insomnia. It's in your drawer. Your breakfast is on the table.”
I hadn't read it all and I was already drowning in tears.
How could he still care even after I hurt him? Why was he doing this to me?
‘That’s because he really cares about you, Maisie. He cares about his mate.’ my wolf said.
That word again.
I shook my head. “No, I can't be his mate. There has to be some sort of mistake.”
‘The goddess never makes any mistake. Xavier is your second chance mate!’
“I never asked for one!” I yelled into the air.
‘But you needed one.’
I froze.
“What?”
‘Xavier is your mate. Losing him is the same as losing a part of yourself and I don't want that to happen again.’
When Aria died, a part of me died with her. I didn't want it to happen again. Not when I barely survived it. I couldn't let that happen to me again. I refuse to.
But how do I avoid it?
Should I tell Xavier that I'm his mate? Does he already know? Should I tell him the main reason I restored the Healer Project was not because it was my idea to begin with but because I wanted to infect Xavier with the same illness that killed our daughter? Do I stop?
My questions came to an abrupt halt when a familiar ringtone echoed through the air.
I reached for my phone vibrating on the nightstand and flipped it open.
“Yes?” I said, clearing my throat.
“Good morning, boss,” Clyde greeted. “I called to inform you that the lab is ready.”
I exhaled softly and weighed my options.
“Ma'am?” he called out.
I reached a final conclusion and smiled. “Excellent. Text me the address.”
The lab was underground.
Xavier had highlighted how the previous experiments damaged the buildings used for them so we decided to use a more secure location — an underground facility directly under MW Corp.
Dr. Greg stood at the edge of the table, older than I remembered. “Good morning, ma'am.”
“Good morning.” I greeted back, slipping into the chair positioned head at the table.
I stared back at the group of men and women wearing white lab coats and began. “I believe all of you know why you're here.”
“You're asking us to revive a project that was declared dead.” A red faced man whispered and laughter erupted among the people.
“That's what you think.” I said in a voice that cut through the laughter and drowned it out. “But what I ask of you is to finish what I couldn't.”
They all exchanged confused glances before facing me.
“But from what we've reviewed, the healer interface is unstable.” One woman said. “It didn't even work. The body kept rejecting it.”
“That's because it was rushed.” I said, pushing back my seat. “It was treated like garbage!”
Dr. Greg studied me with narrowed eyes. “This sounds a bit personal.”
“Of course, it's personal.”
I slid a tablet across the table. Aria's medical records stared back at them like a ghost.
“She's my little girl,” I said evenly. “She died of Red Howl. If the Healer had worked, we would've detected it earlier. I failed her.”
“The Red Howl is a rare and deadly disease… even if the Healer works, it wouldn't have detected it on time.” A scientist said.
“The Red Howl is not a disease. It's death itself.” Another whispered.
Dr. Greg gasped as if recalling a memory, then he looked at me. “The message you sent me… about weaponization?”
“I meant it.”
His lips thinned. “That's a dangerous line you're crossing, Ma'am.”
“I've come too far to quit.” I straightened up. “I'm not stopping now.”
Now when Aria hasn't been avenged. Not when Xavier is still walking. Not when that scum of the earth is still here!
Echoes of soft murmurs passed across the room before they all reached an agreement.
“We'll do it.”
I poured myself into work, unveiling past projects that Dominion Industries had stolen and buried, collecting data on illegitimate deals and transactions made to crush the competition. Xavier was corrupt and so was his company but while I'm here, that won't stand any longer.
I reached for a sheet of paper where I'd written the names of executives he had fired or framed of one crime or another in the past and began to dial each one. Xavier was going down and I swear to make sure of it even if it's the last thing I do.
I followed the same routine the next few days — checking in on the project, reviewing documents, buying shares, surveilling every nook and cranny of D.I. It was one hell of a job but I pulled it off.
By noon, I was famished. Any normal person would order takeouts or eat out from the company's cafeteria but I wasn't normal. I walked to the cafe a few blocks from the company to order my favourite snacks. I was in desperate need of the sugar rush.
I opened a new email from a prospective client right as I bumped into another patron. Coffee splashed over the side of their open cup and onto their shoes.
My eyes widened at the horror. “Holy shit. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…”
My apology died a quick death when my eyes landed on a familiar head of dark hair and bronzed skin.
“That’s all right,” Tyler said easily. “We’ve all been there. It was my fault for leaving my cup open when it’s so crowded.”
I watched, stunned, as he plucked a lid from a nearby counter and fitted it over his coffee.
It was the middle of the workday, but instead of a suit, he wore black dress pants and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up. No tie.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, then remembered he'd mention this was his favourite cafe. Little Tina's — that was the name of this place.
A small, playful hitch of his brow as he replied. “Getting coffee, like you.”
He placed a hand on my arm and gently moved me to the side before a tall brunette blitzed past us with a full tray of coffee. If I hadn’t moved, I’d be wearing Americano and cold brew with my Prada suit.
Tyler’s hand lingered a beat on my arm before he removed it.
“So, do you come here often?” he asked casually. The cheesiness of the pickup line pulled me out of my shock.
“Seriously?” I nearly scoffed.
His eyes crinkled at the corners. I hated how cute it was. “It’s an honest question.”
“Yes, I do. Everyone who works at MW Corp does.” I answered honestly, drumming my fingers against the counter as I waited for the barista to give me my usual order.
I noticed Tyler was staring at me and sighed. “What are you really doing here, Tyler? And I don’t mean the coffee.”
His smile slipped. “Sorry… I just… I thought our first meeting didn't seem right so here I am, trying for a fresh start.”
I blinked. “What?”
“I don’t want to come off as too forward, since we just met,” he said. “But would you like to go out sometime?”
His question pulled out a short laugh out of me before I gently shook my head. “I’m sorry, Tyler but I’m not interested in dating right now.”
“Then it won’t be a date,” he said without missing a beat. “It’ll just be dinner between two werewolves getting to know each other better.”
“Really?” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“Really.” He stared back at me with complete innocence but I could see the mischief dancing in his eyes.
The barista finally called my name and I broke eye contact and picked up my order.
“It was nice running into you, Tyler,” I said pointedly. “But I have to get back to work.”
He followed me to the door and held it open. “If not a date, then your number. I promise I won’t prank call you or send you inappropriate photos.” A wicked grin graced his lips. “Unless you want them, of course.”
I suppressed another smile and arched a skeptical brow instead. “Are you always this persistent?”
“Only about those I can’t stop thinking about,” he said, his eyes steady on mine.
The air suddenly turned humid.
What?
“This is us being friends, Chloe,” he leaned forward. “Unless you want us to be more than that.”
“Back off, pal,” I gave him a playful push on the chest.
He laughed it off. “Okay. I'll keep my hands to myself. So, am I getting your number?”
I realized that if I don't give this guy my number, he won't leave me alone and I can't allow him to follow me around.
“Fine.” I sighed. “If I give you my number, will you stop following me?”
The corner of his lips lifted up. “We were both leaving, so I don’t know if that counts as following, but yes.”
I gave him my number and he saved it but I didn't see what he saved it as.
“Tyler.” I stopped him when he was halfway down the sidewalk.
He looked back at me.
“How did you know I would be here at this time?”
“I didn’t. But I know it was everyone’s favorite coffee shop, and you always come here around lunchtime.” His parting words drifted toward me on the breeze. “It was nice running into you, Chloe.”